SSTP and OpenVPN Protocols

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are rapidly becoming one of the most vital features of an organization’s information technology (IT) infrastructure. The constant increase in the need for telecommuting and remote access is increasing the cost associated with telephone lines. In addition, the development of business organizations in the international industrial scenario require them to establish subsidiaries in different parts of the world, which escalates the need to maintain a secure communication network with vendors, customers, and partners. Therefore, businesses are dependent on the internet for all such reasons and have to find ways to use the internet securely and cost effectively in order to achieve their business objectives.

A VPN connection is a crucial element for carrying out e-commerce or e-business. It has become extremely essential for businesses to start using a VPN, as they perform several business transactions online and also exchange important business information, with different parties like clients, partners, etc., over the internet. A VPN connection will help in secure and efficient transferring of all such information, which also helps in boosting up the organization’s electronic business. Several companies in the market offer VPN solutions to businesses, which is inclusive of server manufacturers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), hardware as well as software companies.

You can choose from a variety of security protocols when obtaining a VPN connection. SSTP and OpenVPN are two of those and it is important that you understand SSTP VPN vs. OpenVPN protocols before choosing the one that best suits your needs.

SSTP VPN Protocol

SSTP, Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol, is basically a form a VPN tunnel that makes use of SSL 3.0 to establish a connection amidst the server and the host. This VPN protocol was originally introduced by Microsoft in its Windows Vista OS platform, but is now available on different platforms like SEIL, RouterOS, and Linux. SSTP VPN protocol is considered to offer highest level of security as it encrypts with 256 bit key and authenticates with key certificates of 2048 bits. As the protocol utilizes TCP port 443, it can be used in those locations where there is no network access, and it can also be used as a replacement to other types of VPN protocols like PPTP and L2TP. SSTP VPN protocol can be used to bypass almost all types of firewalls.

OpenVPN Protocol

OpenVPN protocol was originally launched as an alternative to the SSTP protocol introduced by Microsoft and was created using open source technology. The most attractive benefit offered by this protocol is that it can be operated on a wide range of platforms or operating systems, such as Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and also on IP phones. You can adopt OpenVPN protocol if you want to:

encrypt your connection and avoid snooping,

remain secure whenever you access the internet on public Wi-Fi hotspots,

Best VPN Providers

As you would have gained necessary information about SSTP VPN vs. OpenVPN protocols by now, you would be able to decide the one that would best suit your business requirements. Following are some of the best VPN service providers that can offer you both SSTP and OpenVPN protocols: